Giving Business presentations Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Sep 26, 2025

Giving Business presentations Reading Answers contains 6 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. Giving Business presentations Reading Answers must be answered within 10 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

Giving Business presentations Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of Effective business presentations require clear verbal and non-verbal communication, strong audience engagement, and purposeful use of visual aids, ensuring your message is impactful, professional, and memorable. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Giving Business presentations Reading Answers

Topic:

In business, we often find ourselves in situations where we have to present information formally to others. One of the most important aspects of communicating effectively is shaping both content and style to fit your audience. In meetings, if you can communicate in a way that is both comprehensible and interesting to your audience, their understanding of what you are trying to communicate will be greatly enhanced.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Find out all you can about the room in which you will be presenting. Visit the room ahead of time to familiarise yourself with its size and layout, as well as the type of chalkboards, chalk, erasers, and multimedia available. In addition, obtain any necessary training on the multimedia.

Use the room as a stage. Move around to engage and interact with your audience. Do not stand in one spot the entire time. Move with purpose; do not walk aimlessly.

Prepare. Preparation is essential. Practice in the room if you can, especially if you are new to the topic you’re presenting. In addition, prepare yourself emotionally and psychologically by taking the time to organise your thoughts.

Speak loudly and clearly. Project your voice and face your audience when you are speaking. Speak slightly louder than you do in a normal conversation. You might choose to use a microphone in a medium to large room.

Modulate the tone, pitch, and speed of your speech. Do not talk in a monotone. Vary the pitch and speed of your voice for emphasis and effect. Use expected pauses. Rather than using sounds such as “uh”, simply pause before moving on to the next idea or point.

Use gestures and facial expressions to help you explain, emphasise, and communicate the material. However, be careful not to develop distracting habits such as pacing or repeatedly adjusting your glasses or hair. To find out if you are doing anything that may be distracting to your audience, have a colleague observe you or have your class videotaped.

Show passion and enthusiasm for the topic. If you are not interested in the subject, you cannot expect your audience to be interested, either. Point out the fascinating aspects of what you are talking about.

Do not read your notes or slides. Doing so will lower your impact and lead your audience to feel less engaged.

Interact with and pay attention to your audience. Make eye contact with the audience, not with the wall or chalkboard. If people appear to be lost, take additional time to explain points and to ask and answer questions.

Do not take yourself too seriously. Be able to laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Feel free to bring humour into the presentation where suitable, but direct it at yourself, rather than your audience’s questions and ideas.

Keep track of the time. Do not start early or end late. People are busy and need to keep to schedules.

Using Visual Aids, such as PowerPoint Slides

  • Do not use visual aids unless they serve a clear and important purpose. Visuals should aid quick comprehension and support the main points.
  • Book and check out the presentation equipment in advance.
  • Talk to your audience and not to the screen.
  • Use the visuals to enhance your presentation, not as a substitute for a verbal presentation.
  • Use a pointer, if necessary.
  • Design your visuals with clarity and simplicity in mind.
  • Keep the text and key areas on slides clear.

Questions 15-20

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

15. A successful presentation will combine the ………………… with how you present it in order to suit the people listening.

Answer: content

Supporting statement: "One of the most important aspects of communicating effectively is shaping both content and style to fit your audience."

Keywords: content, style, fit audience

Keyword Location: Introductory paragraph, lines 1–3

Explanation: The passage stresses that presentation success depends on combining content with style for the audience.

16. A ………………… might be a useful tool if presenting in a big area.

Answer: microphone

Supporting statement: "You might choose to use a microphone in a medium to large room."

Keywords: microphone, medium, large room

Keyword Location: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication section, line 10

Explanation: The text states clearly that a microphone may be used in big rooms to project the voice.

17. Presenters should adjust how they speak, so that they avoid speaking in a …………………

Answer: monotone

Supporting statement: "Do not talk in a monotone. Vary the pitch and speed of your voice for emphasis and effect."

Keywords: not monotone, vary pitch, emphasis

Keyword Location: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication section, line 13

Explanation: Presenters must avoid speaking in a monotone to keep the audience engaged.

18. Directly reading to an audience from a presentation can reduce the presenter's ……………….

Answer: impact

Supporting statement: "Do not read your notes or slides. Doing so will lower your impact and lead your audience to feel less engaged."

Keywords: read notes/slides, lower impact, less engaged

Keyword Location: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication section, line 23

Explanation: Reading directly reduces a presenter’s impact and weakens audience connection.

19. ……………………. can be a useful rhetorical technique if used appropriately.

Answer: humour

Supporting statement: "Feel free to bring humour into the presentation where suitable, but direct it at yourself…"

Keywords: humour, presentation, suitable

Keyword Location: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication section, line 27

Explanation: Humour is highlighted as a positive rhetorical device when directed properly.

20. A ………………. is a useful tool to help indicate key areas on slides.

Answer: pointer

Supporting statement: "Use a pointer, if necessary."

Keywords: pointer, slides, key areas

Keyword Location: Visual Aids section, line 4

Explanation: A pointer helps direct attention to important slide areas during a presentation.

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